Probably Woodhead. He has presumably lost any chance that he had at the kick return job to Demps. Vereen has reportedly looked very good catching the ball. None of the RBs stick out in pass blocking. That leaves Woodhead as a backup 3rd down back and draw specialist, as far as I'm concerned.

Probably Woodhead. He has presumably lost any chance that he had at the kick return job to Demps. Vereen has reportedly looked very good catching the ball. None of the RBs stick out in pass blocking. That leaves Woodhead as a backup 3rd down back and draw specialist, as far as I'm concerned.

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I'm not sure that Woodhead gets cut for Demps, since the Pats still don't know what they have in the new guy (and won't until he takes the field), but I do think that the chances of Woodhead re-signing with the Pats when his contract are up just took a pretty major hit. If he's not going to be a significant ST contributor, then I doubt that he factors into the long-term RB equation enough to warrant a roster spot there alone.

Re: Andy's post; he's taken the most snaps for a RB unit that, in context, has not been very effective for the last couple of years. Teams have felt comfortable essentially daring the Patriots to run, which has negatively affected the passing game. Much like I wasn't heartbroken to see BJGE leave, I wouldn't lose any sleep over Woodhead leaving either. And I haven't seen anyone say that we should "cut him for a track star" -- rather, that Vereen and Demps, in combination, could very well marginalize him in the two significant areas where he's capable of bringing value.

Or, to keep it short: nobody's saying (at least yet) that Demps will take over Woodhead's spot in the RB rotation. Just that he'll likely supplant Woodhead as the primary punt/kick returner, which isn't an unreasonable projection.

I'm not sure that Woodhead gets cut for Demps, since the Pats still don't know what they have in the new guy (and won't until he takes the field), but I do think that the chances of Woodhead re-signing with the Pats when his contract are up just took a pretty major hit. If he's not going to be a significant contributor, then I doubt that he factors into the long-term RB equation enough to warrant a roster spot there alone.

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The whole contract thing is a good point. The Pats already have control of Vereen, Ridley, Bolden, and Demps for at least three more years each. If they cut Bolden, for example, and keep Woodhead, then there's a good chance they're without both Bolden and Woodhead a year from now.

The team could keep 5 RB's (not likely in my opinion), or they could add Demps to one of the spots that were going to a guy as ST only.

I think that Woodhead is the only proven back here at this point, and will still be a nice part of the NEP offense. He may not be a lead back, but he has carved his niche, and does it fairly well. There were times last yr when he was hurt and not quite as effective, but he looked much better once healthier towards the end of the season.

Woodhead has played more snaps at RB the last 2 years than anyone on the team.
You are going to cut him for a track star?

It never ceases to amaze me the stuff people come up with around here.

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I floated the idea earlier that they may look at trading Woodhead because he's a proven 3rd down back and may be redundant due to other roster choices. I don't believe they would cut him outright. If Demps is the return man and Vereen is going to be the 3rd down back then getting value for Woodhead makes sense. Normally I wouldn't suggest moving a player as good as Woodhead is but he may be a luxury at this point.

If he ends up on the 53 man roster, then by definition he's taken a spot that otherwise would have gone to someone else. My guess would be that it's at the expense of one of the skill position players who's expected to contribute on ST - that makes the most likely roster casualty, IMO, either a fullback, a 4th TE, or Stallworth, since he was seeing some kick return reps if I'm not mistaken.

Woodhead has played more snaps at RB the last 2 years than anyone on the team.
You are going to cut him for a track star?

It never ceases to amaze me the stuff people come up with around here.

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Shane Vereen, Steven Ridley, Brandon Bolden as running backs and now the "track star" as a kick returner would be the reason Woodhead could be cut..

Brandon Merriweather took more snaps at safety then anyone else in 2009 and 2010.. Then got cut last year.. Ty Warren was our starting LDE for 5 years got cut last season... Shall I continue the list of player BB has cut despite there previous roles?

Never ceases to amaze me how Andy Johnson lives in the past. Why don't you sign up for a history forum....

If he ends up on the 53 man roster, then by definition he's taken someone's spot. My guess would be that it's at the expense of one of the skill position players who's expected to contribute on ST - that makes the most likely roster casualty, IMO, either a fullback or a 4th TE. Maybe Stallworth, since if I'm not mistaken he was getting some reps as a returner?

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Stallworth, Bolden, Larsen or Fiametta, Edelman, or Woodhead would seem to be the players most threatened by this move. All of those other than Bolden have proven NFL value and it is conceivable that they could get something for pretty much any one of them. Only Woodhead could get them a pick as high as the 4th imo.

Stallworth, Bolden, Larsen or Fiametta, Edelman, or Woodhead would seem to be the players most threatened by this move. All of those other than Bolden have proven NFL value and it is conceivable that they could get something for pretty much any one of them. Only Woodhead could get them a pick as high as the 4th imo.

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I agree on everyone except Bolden. If he's not on the roster, even as a gameday inactive, then the Pats are one injury away from having a RB corps that tops out at 205 pounds.